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Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus for sensing a status of
testicular torsion and a method thereof, and is related to technical
fields of measuring human pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, or blood
flow, for sensing the status of a test area in a user. The apparatus
comprises a sensor configured for projecting a specific wavelength light
source to the test area and receiving a reflected light from the test
area, for obtaining a pulse information and an oxygen saturation
information on the test area; a comparing unit configured for determining
a status of blood flow in the test area and a corresponding status of
testicular torsion, according to the pulse information and the oxygen
saturation information; and a display unit for displaying the testicular
torsion status.

Claims:

1. An apparatus for sensing a status of testicular torsion in a test area
in a user, the apparatus comprising: a sensor configured for projecting a
specific wavelength light source to the test area and receiving a
reflected light from the test area, for obtaining a pulse information and
an oxygen saturation information on the test area; a comparing unit
configured for determining a status of blood flow in the test area and a
corresponding status of testicular torsion, according to the pulse
information and the oxygen saturation information; and a display unit for
displaying the testicular torsion status.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the testicular torsion status is a
no-torsion or normal status, a suspect-torsion status, a medium-torsion
status, or a serious-torsion status.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the serious torsion status is due to
a vascular blockage or a lack of blood flow between organs after surgery.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the test area is over a testicle or
the scrotum of the user.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blood flow status is a
smooth-flow status, a slightly-unsmooth-flow status, a
mediumly-unsmooth-flow status, or a seriously-unsmooth-flow status.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the blood flow status is a
lack-of-blood-flow status due to a vascular blockage, a testicular
torsion, or a lack of blood flow between organs after surgery or during
organ grafting or transplantation.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein when the test area is over a
testicle or the scrotum of the user, the lack-of-blood-flow status is due
to a serious testicular torsion.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the specific wavelength light source
is of a specific wavelength susceptible to being absorbed by oxygenated
hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) in human blood.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the specific wavelength light source
comprises a visible light source or an invisible light source, and the
comparing unit is configured for assessing the pulse information
according to the reflected light.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the specific wavelength light
source comprises a red light and an infrared red light, and the comparing
unit is configured for assessing the oxygen saturation information
according to the reflected light of the red light and the infrared red
light.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located on the body
skin in the test area of the user in which there are dense blood vessels.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor
configured for projecting the specific wavelength light source to a
reference test area in the user and receiving a reflected light from the
reference test area, for obtaining a second pulse information and a
second oxygen saturation information, wherein the reference test area and
the test area don't overlap; wherein the comparing unit is configured to
compare pulse information and oxygen saturation information between the
reference test area and the test area, for determining the status of
blood flow in the test area as compared to a reference value on the
reference test area, and also producing a relative pulse information and
a relative oxygen saturation information on the test area.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an accelerometer for
sensing the user's motion; wherein the accelerometer is configured to
produce a warning when sensing an unusual motion of the user and
configured to adjust the reference value when sensing a change in motion
or posture of the user.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a thermometer for
measuring the temperature of the user or the apparatus; wherein the
reference value is to be adjusted when the thermometer senses a change in
the temperature; or the thermometer is configured to sense that the
apparatus' operation temperature is so high as to warrant (1) adjusting
the frequency of performing said functions of the sensors, (2) changing
to sensing by the sensors to obtain either pulse information or oxygen
saturation information on the test area for determining the status of
blood flow in the test area, or (3) reducing the number of the sensors
used for performing their functions.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising protection pants, wherein
the sensor is positioned in the protection pants corresponding to the
test area, so that the sensor is capable of being maintained
corresponding to the test area when the protection pants are being worn
by the user.

16. A method for sensing a status of testicular torsion in a test area in
a user, using the apparatus of claim 4, comprising: providing a first
light projection apparatus capable of switching between a light emitting
mode and a light reflecting mode; using a sensor to project a specific
wavelength light source to the test area; receiving a reflected light
from the test area upon the projecting step, to obtain a pulse
information and an oxygen saturation information on the test area; and
determining a status of blood flow in the test area and a corresponding
status of testicular torsion, according to the pulse information and the
oxygen saturation information.

17. The method for sensing a status of testicular torsion according to
claim 16, further comprising displaying the testicular torsion status on
a display unit.

Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to a sensing apparatus and a method
thereof, and especially relates to an apparatus for sensing a status of
testicular torsion and a method thereof. The status is sensed by
projecting a specific wavelength light source to a topical area under
test (e.g. over a testicle) in human body, which is non-invasive, with
measuring the proportion between the light absorbed by the test area and
the reflected light from the test area. In order to accurately determine
the status of blood flow in the test area and a corresponding status of
testicular torsion, the information of arterial pulsation and an arterial
oxygenated saturation are yielded through the ratio of red light and
infrared red light.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Conventional techniques for sensing testicular torsion, such as
using vascular visualizer or Doppler ultrasonography, which is a
non-invasive type of sensing technique, are common sensing techniques
known. However, these techniques, although non-invasive, need various
equipment and consumable materials which are expensive and difficult to
obtain, as well as not high accurate diagnostic rate, which are resulting
in limitation of using. Other conventional sensing techniques, such as
scrotal exploration surgery, which is an invasive type of procedure and
which will cause more injuries and side-effects for the subject patients,
and are therefore bearing with some dilemma.

[0006] In view of these above-mentioned drawbacks, if a non-invasive
sensing technique can be developed that requires the use of relatively
small and light equipment and tools and whose cost is by far lower than
that of each of other conventional non-invasive sensing techniques such
as using ultrasound, it will be a breakthrough as a great technique which
is very welcome by and pleasant to people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus or
system for sensing a status of testicular torsion.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method
for sensing a status of testicular torsion, using the apparatus of the
present invention.

[0009] To achieve the foregoing objectives, in one aspect, the present
invention provides an apparatus or system for sensing a status of
testicular torsion in a test area (e.g. over a testicle) in a user,
comprising: a sensor configured for projecting a specific wavelength
light source to the test area and receiving a reflected light from the
test area, for obtaining a pulse information and an oxygen saturation
information (such as information of saturation of peripheral oxygen or
SpO2) on the test area; a comparing unit configured for determining
a status of blood flow in the test area and a corresponding status of
testicular torsion, according to the pulse information and the oxygen
saturation information; and a display unit for displaying the testicular
torsion status.

[0010] In one embodiment, the apparatus or system for sensing a status of
testicular torsion may further comprise a second sensor configured for
projecting a specific wavelength light source to the test area in the
user and receiving a reflected light from the test area, in combination
with the first sensor for obtaining a plurality of pulse information and
a plurality of oxygen saturation information on the test area. The
comparing unit is configured for determining the status of blood flow in
the test area, by comparing the plurality of pulse information and the
plurality of oxygen saturation information to each information type's
reference value, and for determining a corresponding status of testicular
torsion accordingly. And the sensors may be located on, in contact with,
or covering the body skin over the organ under test.

[0011] In another embodiment, the apparatus or system for sensing a status
of testicular torsion further comprises a second sensor for projecting
the specific wavelength light source to a reference test area in the user
and receiving a reflected light from the reference test area, for
obtaining a second pulse information and a second oxygen saturation
information; wherein the comparing unit is configured to compare the
pulse information and the oxygen saturation information between the
reference test area and the test area, for determining the status of
blood flow in the test area as compared to a reference value on the
reference test area, and also producing a relative pulse information and
a relative oxygen saturation information on the test area. And a status
of testicular torsion corresponding to the determined status of blood
flow may then be determined. In this embodiment the reference test area
and the test area may not overlap.

[0012] In various embodiments, the reference value or values of blood flow
status may represent different blood flow statuses such as, without
limitation, a smooth-flow status, a slightly-unsmooth-flow status, a
mediumly-unsmooth-flow status, and a seriously-unsmooth-flow status. In
various embodiments, the slightly-unsmooth-flow status may be due to e.g.
a suspect testicular torsion, the mediumly-unsmooth-flow status may be
due to e.g. a medium testicular torsion, and the seriously-unsmooth-flow
status may be due to an emergency status (for example, a serious
testicular torsion). In different embodiments, the blood flow status may
be a lack-of-blood-flow status indicating the user's vascular blockage,
testicular torsion, or lack of blood flow between his organs after
surgery or during organ grafting or transplantation.

[0013] In one embodiment, the specific wavelength light source is of a
specific wavelength susceptible to being absorbed by oxygenated
hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) in human blood.
In another embodiment, the specific wavelength light source comprises a
red light and an infrared red light, and the comparing unit is configured
for assessing the oxygen saturation information according to the
reflected light of the red light and the infrared red light. And in
another embodiment, the comparing unit is configured for assessing the
oxygen saturation information according to the proportion in the
reflected light between the red light and the infrared red light.

[0014] In one embodiment, the specific wavelength light source comprises a
visible light source or an invisible light source, and the comparing unit
is configured for assessing the pulse information according to the
reflected light.

[0015] In one embodiment, the test area is located on the body skin or
tissue over the organ under test where there are dense blood vessels. In
an embodiment, the test area is over a testicle or scrotum of the user.

[0016] In another embodiment, the apparatus for sensing a status of
testicular torsion further comprises an accelerometer for sensing the
user's motion; and the accelerometer is configured to produce a warning
when sensing an unusual motion of the user and configured to adjust the
reference value (e.g. of said each information type or on the reference
test area) when sensing a change in motion or posture of the user.

[0017] In another embodiment, the apparatus for sensing a status of
testicular torsion further comprises a thermometer for measuring the
temperature of the user or the apparatus; wherein the reference value
(e.g. of said each information type or on the reference test area) is to
be adjusted when the thermometer senses a change in the temperature; or
the thermometer is configured to sense that the apparatus' operation
temperature is so high as to warrant adjusting the frequency of
performing said functions of the sensors, changing to sensing by the
sensors to obtain either pulse information or oxygen saturation
information on the test area for determining the status of blood flow in
the test area, or reducing the number of the sensors used for performing
their functions.

[0018] In one embodiment, the apparatus for sensing a status of testicular
torsion further comprises protection pants, wherein the sensor is
positioned in the protection pants corresponding to the test area, so
that the sensor is capable of being maintained corresponding to the test
area when the protection pants are being worn by the user.

[0019] The objectives, technical details, features, and effects of the
present invention will be better understood with regard to the detailed
description of the embodiments below, with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of an apparatus for sensing a status of
testicular torsion according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 1B shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for sensing a
status of testicular torsion according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D show operations of an oxygen saturation sensor
according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a third embodiment of an apparatus for sensing a
status of testicular torsion according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for sensing
a status of testicular torsion according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of an apparatus for sensing a
status of testicular torsion according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The present invention provides a designed application using a
non-invasive light modulation technique. The technique may be applied to
a test area of human body skin or epidermis covering the organ under test
where there are dense blood vessels, by projecting two beams of different
light source of specific wavelengths susceptible to being absorbed by
oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) in
human blood to the test area covering the organ under test. The two beams
include, for example, a red light (R, with a wavelength range from 620 nm
to 770 nm) and an infrared red light (IR, with a wavelength range from
770 nm to 1000 nm). While the two beams are projected to the test area
covering the organ under test, there employ the two beams' very different
absorption characteristics in the spectrum between about 600 nm and 900
nm. That is to say, HbO2 and Hb have very different absorptivities
at the two light sources, such as, the absorptivity of Hb is higher than
the absorptivity of HbO2 at 600 nm for red light, while the
absorptivity of HbO2 is higher than the absorptivity of Hb at 900 nm
for infrared red light. The fact that HbO2 and Hb have very
different absorptivities at the two light sources can be used for sensing
or detecting optical properties of human tissues located about several
millimeters to several centimeters under human body skin, to obtain or
discover hemodynamic reactive states of the organ under test, including
parameters such as SpO2, erythrocyte saturation, and blood flow
amounts.

[0027] According to the physical phenomenon that intensity of penetrating
light varies with the concentration of each of oxygenated hemoglobin
(HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) in human blood, a signal of
change in the concentration of each of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2)
and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) in human blood can be obtained. Then a
light-to-electricity transformation technique, such as photoelectric
effect transformation technique, is used to obtain electrical signals of
these two types of hemoglobins. Using calculations by a programmed
microprocessor, oxygen saturation can be calculated according to a
definitional formula of oxygen saturation. In a simple statement, red
light and infrared red light can be used to detect oxygenated hemoglobin
in human blood, how much of oxygenated hemoglobin is in human blood can
be discovered or known by using the strength of penetrating or reflected
light, and then oxygen saturation can be calculated using a formula.

[0028] In general, a change in SpO2 is closely associated with and
related to some degree to the blood flow status. Based on the principle
of light modulation technique mentioned above, the invention is further
designed to be applicable to sensing or detecting special blood flow
statuses such as a testicular torsion status in human testicles. For
example, a change in SpO2 is closely associated with and related to
some degree to each of the statuses of human testicular torsion, vascular
blockage, bad blood circulation around a topical area or wound, and lack
of blood flow between organs after surgery or during organ grafting or
implantation. Therefore, the invention can be applied to accurately
determine a status of blood flow in the above-mentioned areas or tissues
therein and thereby to determine a (serious) status such as of testicular
torsion.

[0029] An apparatus for sensing a status of testicular torsion 10 and its
operation method according to the invention are described as follows. The
sensor 11 may initially project a light of specific wavelength, such as
an infrared red light, to pass through the test area, and a receiver at
an end of the sensor 11 is used to measure the absorbed amount of said
light source. Referring to FIG. 1A, an embodiment of the present
invention is an apparatus 10 for sensing a status of testicular torsion
in a test area D of a user, which apparatus 10 includes a sensor 11
configured for projecting a specific wavelength light source to the test
area D and receiving a reflected light from the test area D, for
obtaining a pulse information and a SpO2 information on the test
area. The apparatus 10 also includes a comparing unit 12 configured for
determining a status of blood flow in the test area D, as compared with a
reference value (e.g. an index or factor of blood flow status or of each
of the two information types), according to the pulse information and the
SpO2 information. The apparatus 10 also includes a display unit 13
configured for displaying the blood flow status. The location of the test
area D, and a comparison result between the blood flow status and the
reference value may be displayed by the display unit 13. In one
embodiment, the sensor 11 may include a pulse information sensor 111 and
a SpO2 information sensor 112.

[0030] Since HbO2 and Hb in human blood have different degrees of
absorbing infrared red light, concentrations of the two kinds of
hemoglobin or erythrocyte in human blood can be obtained by measuring
their corresponding absorption degrees. Below is a formula for
calculating the percentage reading of SpO2 with the included terms'
meanings:

Percentage reading of SpO2=concentration of
HbO2/(concentration of HbO2+concentration of Hb)×100%

[0031] When the percentage reading of SpO2 falls within a range
between about 96% and 100%, such a reading of oxygen saturation
information indicates or may represent a normal SpO2. The invention
may be used with defining such a reading of SpO2 as representing the
blood flow status being a smooth-flow or normal status. When the
percentage reading of SpO2 falls within a range between about 91%
and 95%, such a reading of oxygen saturation information indicates or may
represent a slight hypoxia in blood flow. The invention may be used with
defining such a reading of SpO2 as representing the blood flow
status being a slightly-unsmooth-flow status. When the percentage reading
of SpO2 falls within a range between about 86% and 90%, such a
reading of oxygen saturation information indicates or may represent a
medium hypoxia in blood flow. The invention may be used with defining
such a reading of SpO2 as representing the blood flow status being a
mediumly-unsmooth-flow status. When the percentage reading of SpO2
is equal to or below about 85%, such a reading of oxygen saturation
information indicates or may represent a serious hypoxia in blood flow.
The invention may be used with defining such a reading of SpO2 as
representing the blood flow status being a seriously-unsmooth-flow
status.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, it's known that human blood is
composed basically of blood corpuscles or cells and blood plasma, and
more than 98% of all corpuscles in blood are erythrocytes. The sensor 11
according to an embodiment of the invention may project a specific
wavelength light source to the test area D and may sense by using the
specific wavelength light as penetrating through and/or reflected from
the test area D. The penetration mode of sensing is performed by
projecting the specific wavelength light source L to the test area D,
which projected light L then penetrates through the tissues (as to the
bones) around the test area D and is reflected to outside of the
epidermis to be received by the sensor 11. The penetration mode of
sensing employs a deep tissue reflection, and is thus applicable to test
or diagnosis areas such as in the fingers. The reflection mode of sensing
is performed by projecting the specific wavelength light source L to the
test area D, which projected light L permeates human organs in which
there may be dense blood vessels and then is reflected to outside of the
epidermis to be received by the sensor 11. Therefore, the reflection mode
of sensing is applicable to test areas such as areas in the ears,
testicles, kidney, and liver.

[0033] The test area D shown in FIG. 1A is located on the scrotum's
epidermis over a testicle or the epididymis. The user can use the
apparatus 10 for sensing a status of testicular torsion to sense or
determine a status of blood flow in the test area D. When a lack of blood
flow status occurs or is detected, the user can accordingly determine
whether this is due to a testicular torsion. But the apparatus 10 is not
limited to sensing a status of blood flow in a testicle, and it may be
used to sense a status of blood flow around a topical area or wound.
Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the apparatus 10 has the sensor
11 located on the test area D1 in a grafted organ. The apparatus 10 can
be used to sense whether blood vessels in the grafted organ are connected
with blood vessels in adjacent parts of the body. When they are
connected, the pulse information and the SpO2 information can be
obtained by the apparatus 10 on the test area D1 in the grafted organ.
Compared to sensing a status of the test area D, the reference value
(e.g. of blood flow status or of each of the two information types) may
be adjusted depending on different needs, for the apparatus 10 to sense a
status of the test area D1. For example, to sense the status of weak
blood flow connection in the test area D1 on the grafted organ, a lower
reference value may be set to more easily detect and show the status of
weak blood flow connection. Setting of the reference value will be
explained with reference to the following description.

[0034] In addition, referring to FIG. 1B, another embodiment of the
invention is shown. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the
apparatus 20 may include a plurality of sensors for sensing a status of
the test area D to obtain a plurality of pulse information and a
plurality of SpO2 information. Two sensors 11 are shown in FIG. 1B
as an example, but implementation of the invention is not limited to
using two sensors, and three or more sensors may be used as long as
purposes of the present invention are met. The comparing unit 12 is
configured to determine a status of blood flow in the test area D by e.g.
calculating an average among the plurality of pulse information and the
plurality of SpO2 information, or finding which one(s) of the
plurality of pulse information and/or the plurality of SpO2
information involves less noise, or calculating an average among those of
the plurality of pulse information and/or the plurality of SpO2
information that involve less noise. Less noise is involved when the
pulse information can be clearly distinguished from other types of
information (for example, respiratory information in a frequency spectrum
close to that of the pulse information). When it is difficult to
distinguish the pulse information from other types of information, more
or not less noise is involved. And when they are clearly distinguished,
less noise is involved. In another example, when one of the pulse
information and the SpO2 information is more distinguishable than
the other, said one involves less noise.

[0035] In one embodiment, when sensing the strength or weakness of the
blood flow is the focus of sensing, sensing to obtain SpO2
information takes precedence over sensing to obtain the pulse
information. Or when whether there is a substantial blood flow in the
test area is the focus of sensing, one of the SpO2 information and
the pulse information which involves less noise may be chosen and then
compared with the reference value. This is an exemplary illustration only
and is in no way intended to limit the way of implementing the invention,
which will depend on actual needs and circumstances.

[0036] In addition to the above mentioned different embodiments with
different possible test areas, the system or apparatus for sensing a
status of testicular torsion according to the invention may be used to
sense a status of blood flow due to the user's vascular blockage, or a
status of the user's vascular blockage. In this case, its way of
implementation can be understood with reference to the rest of the
description herein of other embodiments of the invention. And setting of
the reference value in this case depends on actual needs.

[0037] In one embodiment, the specific wavelength light source is of a
specific wavelength susceptible to being absorbed by oxygenated
hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) in human blood.
And the comparing unit is configured and used for assessing or obtaining
the SpO2 information (or the pulse information) according to the
reflected light from the test area.

[0038] In another embodiment, the specific wavelength light source used
with the invention comprises a red light and an infrared red light, and
the comparing unit 12 is configured for assessing the SpO2
information according to the proportion in the reflected light between
the red light and the infrared red light. The comparing unit 12 can
calculate the SpO2 of a testicle according to the proportion in the
reflected light between the red light and the infrared red light.
Usually, the SpO2 reading is between a range from 0% to 100%, and is
collected with or supplemented by the reading of artery pulse. For
example, the red light and the infrared red light are projected to a test
area over a testicle, and then a photodetector is used to measure the
proportion in the reflected light between the red light and the infrared
red light, in order to obtain the pulse information and the SpO2
information on the arteries in the testicle.

[0039] In various embodiments of the invention, the reference value or
reference values of blood flow status may be defined to represent
different blood flow statuses such as a smooth-flow status, a
slightly-unsmooth-flow status, a mediumly-unsmooth-flow status, and a
seriously-unsmooth-flow status. And the SpO2 information (or the
pulse information) can be compared with the reference value to determine
or judge the blood flow status in the test area to be which of the
smooth-flow status, the slightly-unsmooth-flow status, the
mediumly-unsmooth-flow status, and the seriously-unsmooth-flow status.
When the above-mentioned percentage reading of SpO2 falls within a
range between about 96% and 100%, such a reading of oxygen saturation
information indicates or may represent a normal SpO2, meaning the
blood flow status being a smooth-flow or normal status. When the
percentage reading of SpO2 falls within a range between about 91%
and 95%, such a reading of oxygen saturation information indicates or may
represent a slight hypoxia in blood flow, meaning the blood flow status
being a slightly-unsmooth-flow status. When the percentage reading of
SpO2 falls within a range between about 86% and 90%, such a reading
of oxygen saturation information indicates or may represent a medium
hypoxia in blood flow, meaning the blood flow status being a
mediumly-unsmooth-flow status. When the percentage reading of SpO2
is equal to or below about 85%, such a reading of oxygen saturation
information indicates or may represent a serious hypoxia in blood flow,
meaning the blood flow status being a seriously-unsmooth-flow status.

[0040] Generally speaking, the SpO2 reading of a normal person will
be higher than about 80%, and a person with insufficiency of respiratory
functions will have a SpO2 reading below about 80%. When a range of
SpO2 readings is close to 0%, such a range may represent that there
is almost a lack of blood flow status on the test area. In this
embodiment, a lack of blood flow status represents an emergency status
requiring an emergency disposition or treatment.

[0041] In one embodiment, the reference value or reference values of blood
flow status may be defined to represent different blood flow statuses
such as a smooth-flow status, a slightly-unsmooth-flow status, a
mediumly-unsmooth-flow status, and a seriously-unsmooth-flow status. And
the SpO2 information (or the pulse information) can be compared with
the reference value to determine or judge the blood flow status on the
test area to be which of the smooth-flow status, the
slightly-unsmooth-flow status, the mediumly-unsmooth-flow status, and the
seriously-unsmooth-flow status.

[0042] In one embodiment, the blood flow status may be a
slightly-unsmooth-flow status between the normal flow status and the lack
of blood flow status, which may represent a worsening from the normal
flow status which needs a close monitoring. But the
slightly-unsmooth-flow status may alternatively represent an improvement
or gradual recovery from a worse blood flow status.

[0043] In one embodiment, the specific wavelength light source comprises a
visible light source or an invisible light source, and the comparing unit
is configured for assessing or determining the pulse information
according to the reflected light.

[0044] In one embodiment, the test area is located on the body skin in the
test area of the user in which there are dense blood vessels. The sensor
can more easily sense to obtain the pulse information and the SpO2
information on the test area in which there are dense blood vessels. But
implementation of the invention is not limited to dense blood vessel
areas. For example, when a visible light source is used in the invention
to obtain the pulse information on the test area, the sensor may sense to
obtain the pulse information according to the change in color or shape of
the visible light reflected in the test area.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, the above discussed test area is not limited
to covering a testicle or the scrotum of the user, and the invention may
be used to sense a status of blood flow between organs after or during
organ grafting or implantation. In one embodiment, the apparatus 30 for
sensing a status of testicular torsion further comprises a sensor 14 for
projecting the specific wavelength light source to a reference test area
RD1 in the user and then receiving a reflected light from the reference
test area RD1, for obtaining a second pulse information and a second
SpO2 information on the reference test area RD1. And the comparing
unit 12 is configured to compare the pulse information and the oxygen
saturation information between the reference test area RD1 and the test
area D1, for determining the status of blood flow in the test area D1 as
compared to a reference value on the reference test area RD1, and also
producing a relative pulse information and a relative oxygen saturation
information on the test area D1. The reference test area RD1 is for
obtaining the second pulse information and the second SpO2
information against which the apparatus 30 compares the pulse information
and the SpO2 information on the test area D1 in the same user. When
the pulse information and SpO2 information of a particular user
deviates much from a general or normal user's such types of information
(for example because of the particular user's respiratory disorder),
directly (or in the first place) sensing a status of the test area D1 in
the particular user is susceptible to resulting in a wrong determination
of the status. The addition of sensing a status of the reference test
area RD1 in the particular user helps maintain the accuracy of sensing by
the apparatus 30 of a status of unusual or abnormal test areas in
particular persons.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 3, the flow chart shows an embodiment of a
method provided by the present invention for sensing a status of
testicular torsion, which method comprises the following: using a
plurality of sensors to obtain a plurality of pulse information and a
plurality of SpO2 information on a test area in the user (S1);
determining a status of blood flow in the test area according to the
plurality of pulse information and the plurality of SpO2 information
(S2); and determining a status of testicular torsion according to the
blood flow status and optionally displaying the status of testicular
torsion (S3). The sensors, pulse information, SpO2 information, test
area, and blood flow status have been illustrated in the above
description of different embodiments of the invention.

[0047] The connections among the sensor(s), the comparing unit, and the
display unit according to the invention are not limited to being
implemented by cables or wires, and can also be implemented by wireless
connections.

[0048] In addition, referring to FIG. 1B, the apparatus 20 may comprise an
accelerometer 113 for sensing a change in the user's motion or posture,
such as changing to lying flat, standing up from a sitting posture, or a
change between standing and sitting by the user. When the user
straightens up or raises (a part of) his body, his pulse strength will
correspondingly increase, so the reference value should correspondingly
be increased. In addition, when an unusual motion occurs (for example,
when the user tears the sensor or the sensor falls on the ground), the
apparatus 20 can use the accelerometer 113 to sense the unusual motion,
in order to produce a warning informing related people for their coming
to handle. The accelerometer 113 as shown in FIG. 1B is independent of
other sensors, but the invention isn't so limited. Depending on actual
needs, the accelerometer 113 may be connected or assembled with other
sensors.

[0049] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1B, the apparatus 20 may further
comprise a thermometer 114 for measuring the temperature of the user or
the apparatus. The reference value discussed above may be adjusted when
the thermometer 114 senses a change in the temperature. For example, when
the temperature increases, the pulse strength will usually
correspondingly decrease and the reference value may correspondingly be
adjusted by being reduced, In another embodiment, the thermometer 114 may
be configured to sense that the apparatus' operation temperature is so
high as to warrant adjusting the frequency of performing said functions
of the sensors, changing to sensing by the sensors to obtain either pulse
information or oxygen saturation information on the test area D for
determining the status of blood flow in the test area D, or reducing the
number of the sensors used for performing their functions. These
reactions will help lower the temperature of the apparatus 20.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 4, the apparatus 20 may further comprise
protection pants 115, and the sensor may be positioned or disposed in the
protection pants corresponding to the test area. The sensor may be
disposed in or on the protection pants by using a Velcro band, be
designed to be put in an opening pocket of the protection pants, or be
disposed using other design with similar functions. Therefore the sensors
111 and 112, (and maybe the thermometer 114 or the accelerometer 113) may
be capable of being maintained corresponding to the test area when the
protection pants 115 are being worn by the user.

[0051] The present invention has been described in considerable detail
with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof. It should be
understood that the description is for illustrative purpose, not for
limiting the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in this art
can readily conceive variations and modifications within the spirit of
the present invention.

Patent applications by Hsiao Wen Chen, Taipei TW

Patent applications in class And other cardiovascular parameters

Patent applications in all subclasses And other cardiovascular parameters